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We’re back in Hollywood! Well, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which is pretty much the next best thing. Hooray for Hollywood! And we’ve got a few updates from here to share with you, so let’s get started! Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates The Dark Room There’s a new Limited Edition Magic in the Stars Three Caballeros Pin! Three Caballeros Pin We also saw the MagicBand price increase here — Coral-priced MagicBands (there’s a color code on the back of each one indicated its pricing) used to be $14.99, but now they’re $19.99. Learn More About the MagicBand Price Increase Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities We’ve seen the Dark Saber at Disneyland, but now it’s available at Disney World. And you don’t even have to be a Mandalorian (or Moff Gideon) to wield it. Are you worthy to wield the Dark Saber? All you have to do is pony up $199.99. See More Photos of the Dark Saber at Disneyland Legends of Hollywood Those adorable Tinker Bell Dooney & Bourke bags have arrived at Legends of Hollywood! So pretty! The print features a pretty floral pattern with our favorite fairy! See More Photos of the Tinker Bell Dooney & Bourke collection Once Upon A Time We originally spotted this sweet Rainbow Hoodie at Magic Kingdom, but it’s available at Hollywood Studios, too! Livin’ Our Best Life! That’s what we do! So fun! This colorful hoodie is available for $44.99. See Photos of the Studded Rainbow Ears Debut in Disney World That’s it for our time at Hollywood Studios, but don’t worry — we’ll be back soon with more updates! Don’t Miss This Disney Parks Throwdown! Animal Kingdom VS. Hollywood Studios? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you been to Hollywood Studios recently? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at Disney's Hollywood Studios: A MagicBand Price INCREASE and a Darksaber first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi issued changes to the executive order for COVID-19 eliminating the curfew among other measures to relax restrictions in the face of the pandemic. Here’s what you need to know before you travel to Puerto Rico: View the full article

For National Photography Month, we’ve asked our colleagues at National Geographic and National Geographic Kids – who have provided audiences around the world with awe-inspiring, spectacular photography for more than a century – for tips to share with you and fun profiles on some of their famous photo heroes.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/BeH-sxhWKlk View the full article

Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort has finally reopened! Cape May has reopened! And we were there on its grand reopening day, checking out how things have changed, and comparing it to what it was like before it closed with Disney World last year. We were there for breakfast, but we also decided to check it out for dinner! Like many of the other buffets at Disney World, Cape May Cafe has shifted to a family-style all-you-can-eat feast where servers bring the food out to you. Atmosphere As with other table service restaurants at Disney World, you can either check-in at the podium or use Mobile Dine Check-In on your phone to check in yourself. Check-in Cape May Cafe feels like much of the rest of Beach Club — it’s open and airy and full of light. Inside, tables are spread out to encourage physical distancing. The booths have plexiglass dividers extending from their back sides. Tables are spread out The old buffet area (with its colorful tiles) is now roped off to keep guests away. Buffet roped off If you want a bigger look at the newly reopened restaurant, check out our first look post here! Once we were seated, it was time to eat! Eats Although there’s a copy of the menu outside, you can also access it via a QR Code at your table. The menu is decidedly surf-and-turf-based, with both a seafood boil and steak and chicken options. Note that you can add on Snow Crab legs or Lobster for an additional fee (more on that in a bit!). Not listed here is an included Lobster Mac and Cheese as well that we were very excited to try! Menu The first things to come out are Breads and Spreads. This includes Parker House Rolls and Cornbread. There are also three spreads for the breads and a Seasonal Harvest Salad. Starters! The absolute best thing here are these Parker House Rolls, and there’s a reason these are wildly popular. They are SO buttery and light and they don’t fill you up like some breads. We could eat a dangerous amount of these without batting an eye. But the cornbread was also good — soft and not dry. Rolls and cornbread You also get three spreads: Roasted Garlic-Herb Butter, Salted Butter, and a creamy Cheese Spread. And these are FABULOUS, but of course, WE LOVED THE CHEESE. Because…well…CHEESE. But the salted butter came in at a close second. Yummy spreads The salad has a Citrus Vanilla Dressing that is VERY citrusy and tart. There is also a lot of dressing! We were split on it — although one of us liked it, our other reporter thought it was a bit TOO citrusy. Don’t let the vanilla in the name fool you — this is very citrus forward. We watched as Cast Members prepped the salads, so we suspect the salad-to-dressing ratio varies by server. You could probably ask your server for less dressing if citrus flavors aren’t your thing. The rest of the salad was a mix of fresh greens, some thin sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes. Salad Then it was time for the entrees! Check out this spread below! Entrees with no lobster The Seafood Boil includes PEI Mussels, Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, Cape May Clams, Sustainable Catch of the Day, Red Bliss Potatoes, and Corn on the Cobb. The mussels are very tender, and the clams are SO easy to eat and fall right out of the shell. The shrimp are juicy and fresh, too. You can see these were fairly well seasoned too! Lots of fresh garlic and parsley. SO good. Funny thing, though — we aren’t big fans of clams and mussels, but we could eat these all day! The catch of the day, though, is Mahi Mahi, which isn’t a favorite, and it tasted a little dry. We felt it needed more seasoning as well. It was nice having the fish option but the shellfish was so good in comparison that the fish seemed bland! The potatoes and corn, though, were perfect. When eating a seafood boil is there really any other sides that will do?? Hiding at the bottom of the bowl is a bit of broth from all the boiled-up goodies. It was pretty flavorful and good for dipping the shellfish in. This whole “surf” portion of the meal was overall a hit. LOADS of yummy stuff in there The Turf Platter is Slow-roasted Strip Loin with Chimichurri and House-made Steak Sauce, Oven-roasted Lemon-Pepper Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, and Farmer’s Market Vegetables. Turf Platter Our strip loin was nicely cooked, though it had some gristle and was difficult to cut and eat. However, the good thing about this kind of meal is you can always ask for another round if you get a cut of meat you don’t like or would like seconds of anything. Not the greatest The Chicken, though, was cooked perfectly with a nice seasoning that had hints of lemon. We also couldn’t stop eating the Mashed Potatoes — when mashed potatoes are done well, we will EAT ALL OF THEM and ask for more (we totally did here). The veggies were fine but nothing to write home about. They were cooked well and ours had a carrot, green beans, zucchini, and yellow squash cooked with a bit of red bell pepper. They served their purpose as a healthy side on the plate! Yummy chicken And well, you KNOW we had to try the Lobster Mac and Cheese because we do feel like we’re Mac and Cheese connoisseurs. This one had Crushed Goldfish on top along with seasoned panko bread crumbs that added a nice crunch to each bite. It was also VERY cheesy with LOTS of lobster. This could be one of our new favorite mac and cheeses — just that sweet lobster mixed with crunchy breading…NOM! Lobster Mac and Cheeeeeessseeeee We asked for the Lobster add-on when the server came and asked us if we were ready for our entrees. The entrees came out within 10 minutes, but the lobster didn’t come out until about 15 minutes after the other entrees. We were there on the first night, though, so it might have just been opening night issues. Just in case, our recommendation is if you want the lobster or crab legs, let your server know earlier in the meal. Once the Whole Maine Lobster came out, we dug in, and it was worth the wait. It was perfectly cooked with sweet and tender meat that was largely de-shelled for us before serving. The flavor was so nice that it didn’t even need the melted butter that came with it (LOL J/K we totally ate the butter too!). It was also A LOT of meat for one lobster and, considering ALL the food you get here for dinner, it might be enough to split between 2-4 people if everyone is just getting a couple tastes. Perfect lobster Although we miss the crab legs here before the closure, this lobster was a pleasant surprise (and you can totally opt to add on crab legs if you like!). TOTALLY worth the additional $35 if you’re looking to splurge a bit! All that succulent meat We asked for the plant-based entree so we could share with you what that was like. Here, you get a grilled Portobello Steak! The mushroom had a little bite and wasn’t super mushy — the texture was very steak-like! If you’ve had a portobello before, you might know the flavor is pretty savory, so this is actually a solid stand-in for those not looking to eat meat but still wanting a satisfying eating experience. The pasta that came with it was also flavorful. It’s a nice plant-based option, but considering that it’s the same price as the other options, it’s probably not a very good deal in comparison. That said, if anyone in your group is on a plant-based diet, it’s a solid option. It even looks like steak Hello, dessert! This is obviously the only way to end a good meal, so we went for it. Hold onto your hats, because it’s time to get our sweet tooth on with the Assorted House Made Desserts. Dessert Time! We started with the Oreo Bon Bon. This dessert is popular for a reason, and yes, we requested more because this little baby is a chocolate dream come true and you can’t just eat one. This was the standout dessert for us. It has been a popular dessert item at Cape May for years, so we were glad to try it again! Little chocolate bundle of joy Next up was the Pineapple Mousse with Lime Macaron. This was gorgeous and VERY different. If you don’t like lime flavors, you’ll probably want to avoid this — the lime is VERY prominent. We liked it, though, and loved how well the lime and pineapple worked together. Only eat this if you like lime The Raspberry Puff was soft, and the raspberry added a nice tart, but sweet flavor to the dessert. Raspberry Puff! We also liked the No Sugar Added Lemon Cheesecake. It was very lemony and we honestly would not have guessed it was sugar-free if the server hadn’t told us otherwise. It’s also a gluten-friendly dessert! Love the shape!! Lemony! Although we were really into the fruity desserts, the 8-Layer Chocolate Cake did not disappoint, although it wasn’t quite as good as the Oreo Bon Bon. Chocolate! The Lemon Curd with Blood Orange Compote was okay, but we weren’t big fans of the curd’s texture. We LOVE us some lemon curd too, so this was a bummer. Definitely hoping this was another case of just bad luck with our batch. We thought the Lemon Cheesecake was better. Not a fan… Finally, the Plant-Based Tiramisu. Honestly, we weren’t big fans of it. The flavor was there, but the texture was off, and it was dry. Tiramisu is usually more cream than cake and the opposite is true here. Again, not bad, but could have been better. Not a favorite So the dessert plate wasn’t full of hits, but the good news is you can get more of what you like by just requesting it! Nosh or Not Make a beeline over to Cape May Cafe if… You love seafood — the seafood here is some of the best on property! You like family-style all-you-can eat dining. You don’t mind paying a little extra for add-ons, like lobster. You’re staying at an EPCOT area resort and looking for a relaxing dinner. Skip Cape May Cafe if… You don’t like seafood. Although there are things on the menu here to please everyone, this is ultimately a seafood joint. You don’t like family-style dining. If you’re just wanting a course or two of smaller plates, this probably isn’t the restaurant for you. Unless you’ll likely enjoy most of the family-style meal, it might not be worth it. You want more plant-based options. There are only a few here, meaning that the full price of the meal wouldn’t be worth it just for those items. You’re looking for more unique eats. This is pretty approachable, easy food. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, EPCOT is just steps away with SO many options in World Showcase. Overall For us, the seafood IS the highlight here (although we would also throw in the rolls and Oreo Bon Bons). If you love seafood, this might not be the first spot that pops into your mind, but it’s a solid (and ALL you care to eat!) option. Seafood is a more costly item so it shouldn’t be understated how nice bottomless shrimp, mussels, clams, and more can be! Although we miss the buffet setting and getting to pick and choose our own favorites, it’s nice to have all the food brought out to the table. Requesting more of anything is not a problem, just ask your server! The service was also stellar, save for the lobster arriving after our other entrees (and again, it might just be due to opening night problems or just needing to let the server know earlier in the meal if you want an add-on. It was steamed fresh for us though and, we felt, worth the wait.). The vibe here is pretty nice, too, and it’s nice eating dinner in a restaurant that’s well lit where you can actually see what you’re eating. Pricewise, at $42 per adult and $25 per child, you get your money’s worth, although the additional add-ons can make this a more expensive meal (we thought the $35 lobster add-on was worth it for us!). Other all-you-care-to-eat family-style meals are comparable to this. Garden Grill in EPCOT features characters and a higher price tag of $55 per adult, while Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom is only $39 per adult but is character-free for the time being. We’d compare Cape May’s dinner to the experience at Crystal Palace. The price is very comparable too! In both cases, the otherwise somewhat underwhelming buffet is elevated a bit by the plated version of the meals. In both cases, especially with Cape May, we’ve walked away from our meals VERY full and pleasantly surprised by the presentation and quality. If you find yourself at Beach Club, this is a solid option for dinner! Read Our Review For Breakfast at Cape May Cafe Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you been to Cape May Cafe since it reopened? Let us know what you thought in the comments! The post Review: We Ate TWO Meals in One Day at Cape May Cafe in Disney World and We're Not Mad About It. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the greatest things about the Disneyland Resort is that there truly is something for every guest, of every age and size. Looking to plan the best day ever at the Happiest Place on Earth with your young family? Look no further! Now that theme parks have reopened, here are a few tips to help you plan your visit:http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/Lv7vgK-DsK8 View the full article

So…Disney’s mask rules have undergone a BIG change recently. Face Mask A few days ago, Disney relaxed their mask policy, only requiring them while indoors or while on rides/in ride queues. Previously, they were necessary anywhere on property — both indoors and outdoors — unless eating or drinking while stationary or taking a socially distanced outdoor photo. Obviously, this huge change is going to affect how you wear your mask during your vacation! And we’re got some tips for ya right here. Before we dive into those tips, we want to make sure you know Disney World’s current face mask policy. First of All: Know the New Policy It can get a little confusing trying to figure out when you can have your face covering on vs. off! That’s why you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the new rules. Masks are required at ALL indoor locations — that includes stores, restaurants, and rides. They’re also required on all attractions (both indoors and outdoors), as well as in any ride queue. You’ll need to wear a mask on this ride! Now, what qualifies as a “ride queue?” After all, lines have been stretching far past their normal points due to social distancing. Based on our conversations with Cast Members, it’s our understanding that the new mask policy is enforced once you’re in the “official” queue (for example, when you pass under the sign for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). In the overflow queue, guests can have their masks off. Masks are required once you get up here! Lastly, you are now able to eat and drink while walking — as long as you’re outdoors and not in an official ride queue. And if you have any questions or confusion, just ask a nearby Cast Member. This policy is new, and we’re all trying to navigate it together! Learn More About the New Rules! Okay, now onto those tips! 1. Bring a Mask Chain If you’re constantly taking your mask on and off between indoor and outdoor locations, it can become difficult to keep track of it. That’s why we recommend bringing a mask chain! They attach to the mask’s ear loops and make it super easy to pull your mask up or down quickly. Trust us — they’re a lifesaver (especially for the kiddos!). You’re not gonna want to lose these! Now, you can find cheap mask chains before you arrive on property, but if you’re on the hunt for some in Disney World, we’ve got you covered! We’ve spotted them in House of Good Fortune at EPCOT’s China Pavilion for $6.95 apiece. The mannequin has a mask chain! Rockin’ a mask chain is probably THE easiest way to keep track of your face covering when you’re moving it around so much. Sure, you can just keep it down below your chin, but that tends to pull on your ears after a while. We recommend investing in a mask chain! Check Out Those Mask Chains in Disney World! 2. Pack Extra Masks Yes, that mask chain is really helpful when it comes to keeping track of your mask…but hey, accidents happen. Especially with the little ones! It’s surprisingly easy to lose or drop your mask — not to mention, it could get soaked on Splash Mountain, sweaty after a few hours in the Florida sun…the possibilities are endless. Ever lost one of these? That’s why a few extra masks are a park bag essential. Stow ’em in a Ziploc bag or cosmetics bag to keep them clean and all in one place. Then, whip one out if you need it! Pack some extras! If you forget to pack extra masks, Disney does sell them in most of their gift shops. You’ll also find a vending machine with masks at the entrance to the parks! But if you want to save some money and show up extra prepared, just pack your own. Here Are Our Other Park Bag Essentials! 3. Bring Chapstick/Cover-Up Makeup If you’re going without your mask while outdoors, you’re going to — ya know — have people actually looking at your face. So make sure you bring some chapstick for your lips! And if you like to wear makeup, bring some of that for touch-ups, too. By lifting your mask up and down all day, you’re going to rub it off your face, and you’ll need to reapply frequently. Hello Kitty Chapstick Put a small lipstick, concealer, and chapstick in your park bag for easy access. You’ll want to feel refreshed throughout the day — especially during those hot and sweaty summer months! We’ve Got Even MORE Park Bag Essentials! Most importantly, you’ll want to remain courteous to others as everyone adjusts to this new policy. And don’t forget that hand sanitizer! We’ll be sure to keep you posted if these rules change further — and we’ll bring you plenty of tips along the way — so stay tuned to DFB! Check Out More Mask-Wearing Tips! And if you’re in the market for some new masks, our DFB masks are both cute and comfortable. DFB face masks You can talk a look at all of our styles HERE! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What are your tips for wearing a mask in Disney World? Leave ’em in the comments! The post 3 Essential Tips for Wearing a Mask NOW in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A former animal trainer at SeaWorld says the theme park's current perception as a roller-coaster park with some cool animals needs to be reversed if the park is to return to its former popularity. View the full article

On the hunt for some new ears? Hollywood Studios Well, you’re in luck! We’ve seen lots of rainbow merch debut in Disney World recently, from MagicBands to collectible keys to ear hats. But if you want even MORE color, boy have we found the pair of ears for you. These studded rainbow ears are new TODAY, and they’re perfect for summer! Studded Rainbow Ears The bow features purple, orange, blue, and more… Check out that bow! …while the ears are navy with colorful gems. And just look how they sparkle in the sun! Gems for DAYS. We found ’em for $29.99 in Rock Around the Shop (that’s the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster gift shop!). We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for them elsewhere in the parks, too, in case you want a pair for yourself. Good luck snagging these new ears, and stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news! Check Out More Rainbow Ears! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Would you buy these ears? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Studded Rainbow Ears Debut in Disney World 🌈 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are some pretty awesome and fantastical items in Disney-owned films. Luke vs. Darth Vader ©Disney One such item that comes to mind is the lightsaber. An “elegant weapon for a more civilized age,” as Obi-Wan Kenobi would say. These energy swords are the chosen weapon of those who have a connection to the Force in Star Wars and boy, are they cool or what? We’ve been able to make (toy) lightsabers in the Disney parks since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened and we can sometimes snag lightsabers online — but what about that REAL lightsaber that Disney made? Wait, Disney Has a Real Lightsaber? Okay, okay, we’ll slow down. Recently at a private media event, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro revealed an actually-extending lightsaber commenting, “It’s real.” Color-Changing Lightsaber Up to this point, replica lightsabers have consisted of a hilt piece and a non-collapsible plastic blade piece. The blade has to be manually attached to and detached from the hilt, so there’s never a cool lightsaber extension moment like you see in the Star Wars films. Cal Kestis Lightsaber But now, Disney has shown a lightsaber blade that can ACTUALLY extend and retract. And guys…it looks pretty cool. How can that be!? Let’s take a look. Want to learn more about building your own lightsaber in Disney World? Click here! The Patent Way back in 2018, a patent was published that had been filed by Disney Enterprises for a “sword device with retractable, internally illuminated blade.” Hmm…that sounds an awful lot like a lightsaber to us. Ahsoka Tano White Lightsaber Hilts The patent is currently classified as an invention pertaining to “Toy swords or similar toy weapons; Toy shields.” The background even directly mentions lightsabers saying, “In some stories, these energy swords are called lightsabers, and a typical lightsaber in a film is depicted as including a metal hilt that allows the lightsaber to be a handheld weapon. The hilt is activated by the character in the film to project a brightly lit energy blade…” ©Disney But we know what you’re asking — HOW DOES IT WORK?! Essentially this tech creates the extending lightsaber blade effect using two long plastic semi-cylinders. These pieces are rolled onto spools so that they can be contained in the lightsaber hilt. ©Disney When a user activates the lightsaber (by hitting a button), a motor quickly unspools the plastic; think of it like blowing a party blower on New Years’! As the plastic uncoils, it passes through an opening that forces it into the blade shape, and the two sides of the plastic meet to form one cylinder in a long blade shape outside of the hilt. ©Disney As the plastic unfurls, it pulls with it an end cap and a light source strip in the center of the two pieces of plastic. The result is a light source suspended in the center of the cylindrical blade shape. The light turns on when the blade is activated and helps to create the extension effect. ©Disney When a user (or Jedi) is done with their lightsaber, they can deactivate the blade. The process then reverses with the two plastic blade sides, the light strip, and the end cap spooling back into the hilt. ©Disney Of course, this all happens pretty quickly so that the effect is hard to detect if you’re looking at it from a reasonable distance. That’s a pretty neat optical illusion! Who knew we would get to see extending and retracting lightsabers in person one day! To learn more about Disney’s new lightsaber, click here! How could this tech be used? Disney calls this device “a special effects device” in the patent. So, it could be possible that the lightsaber will be used to provide the lightsaber effect in live shows in Disney theme parks. Initially, at least, we do know this fancy-pants lightsaber will be seen at the Star Wars Hotel — Galactic Starcruiser. Lightsabers! Still, this tech is technically safe for consumers and the patent is classified in “Toy swords or similar toy weapons; Toy shields.” So, if these blades are “toys” could we be snagging these new and improved lightsabers as souvenirs from Disney parks soon? Maybe. Inside Savi’s Workshop As for Star Wars movies, this tech is cool but it still won’t do the trick when it comes to creating realistic lightsaber battles. It seems likely the tech could potentially be for Cast Members only, at least initially. The tech is cool but it’s also relatively delicate-looking (at least compared to those hard plastic blades we currently have). Kids and adults alike can confidently whack their current lightsabers into each other in a “battle” with little fear of breaking the toy. With this delicate expanding tech, it seems too easy for the blades to get damaged by guests. That would likely leave many unhappy guests who shelled out what would surely be a pretty penny for the special toy. It’s certainly possible the tech could be sold to guests, but that remains to be seen. The Rise of Skywalker ©Walt Disney Studios As for the movies? It’s likely the films will continue to use CGI combined with practical effects to create the lightsaber that we see on the big screen. Well, we’ll be patiently waiting to see these lightsabers in real life. In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the Disney tech updates and more! Click here to learn more about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of Disney’s REAL lightsaber? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney Made a REAL Lightsaber. Here's How It Works. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Fireworks have remained suspended since the parks reopened last year. Spaceship Earth And while EPCOT has a new nighttime show in the works, Harmonious, there has been no indication on when it could debut. But last night, there was an exciting indication that preparations may be underway. Reader @findusinparadise on Instagram was able to capture the EPCOT fireworks TESTING last night! Credit: @findusinparadise on Instagram According from her, this testing took place around midnight, and was visible by the Speedway near Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. There weren’t too many fireworks — and they were pretty spaced out — but they did still light up the sky! Credit: @findusinparadise on Instagram You can take a look at ’em here. Now, we have already seen fireworks testing in EPCOT this year, as well as at the end of last year, so we’ll have to wait and see what all of this actually means. After all, that first testing took place in September 2020, and we have yet to see the fireworks debut since. It could just be work on Harmonious progressing — or it could mean that something more exciting is on the horizon. Credit: @findusinparadise on Instagram We’ll keep an eye out for any further news and be sure to keep ya posted! No matter what they mean, we sure are happy to see fireworks BACK in Disney World — even if it’s just for a few moments. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news! Check Out More Disney World Fireworks Testing! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited for fireworks to return? Let us know in the comments! The post VIDEO: Fireworks Testing Took Place in EPCOT AGAIN Last Night first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of Universal Orlando’s most recognizable properties, the Aventura Hotel by Loews, has announced its reopening date. View the full article

Country singer Kale Brown poses with Woody from “Toy Story” during a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. View the full article

Chris Gethard's new comedy special "Half My Life," which includes standup at Gatorland in Orlando, debuts June 1 on streaming services. View the full article

Walt Disney World introduces Snap Lenses that allow users to get virtual hugs from Mickey Mouse. The augmented-reality experience is available through the Snapchat app. View the full article

Set near Oviedo in Seminole County, the 700-acre Black Hammock Wilderness Area takes hikers on a shady, scenic walk on boardwalks before opening up to scrub habitat in a 4.5-mile loop. View the full article

It’s been over a year since the U.S. cruise industry halted operations due to the global health pandemic. And it’s been difficult on cruise lines ever since — even Disney admitted that cruising would be the last arm of the company to resume operations. Disney Dream But as more people get vaccinated, we’re starting to see the first signs that the cruise industry is ready to set sail again soon. The CDC recently stated that cruises could resume as early as mid-July in American waters. But because cruises to Alaska must sail through Canadian waters, things are a little more complicated. Canada has initiated a cruise ship ban through 2022, which prohibits cruise ships from entering Canadian waters. Current U.S. maritime law requires international stops for ships going to Alaska, but the only ports between the U.S. and Alaska are in Canada. This prevents U.S. cruise lines from sailing to Alaska. ©Disney Cruise Line Sailing to Alaska According to the Anchorage Daily News, though, this could change soon. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill allowing ships to bypass Canada on their way to Alaska. An identical measure previously passed the Senate. After a procedural vote is held in the Senate, the bill will go to President Joe Biden, and it’s expected that he will sign it. Alaska Cruise This would allow U.S. cruise lines to offer trips to Alaska again, and if cruises can resume this summer, that means that Alaskan cruises could be available to book soon. As always, we’ll keep an eye on the situation and keep you updated. Here’s Everything Announced for the Disney Wish Cruise Ship Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you planning on taking a cruise this year? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Cruises to Alaska May Begin Again This Summer first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re SO close to stepping foot into an AVENGERS-themed land! PYM Test Kitchen Cast Member costumes © Disney Avengers Campus opens in Disney California Adventure NEXT MONTH and we are so excited to sling webs on Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure and try strangely sized food at Pym Test Kitchen. Now, there’s one HUGE (like, literally, it’s very big) step towards the opening of the land! We were exploring the Disneyland parks today when we spotted that new signage has been added in Hollywood Land near Avengers Campus. What caught out eye first? Nothing other than this GIANT ChocoSmash Chocolate Bar! Pym Test Kitchen Signage Now THAT’S a DFB-sized chocolate bar! Clearly, this thing has had a run-in with a few Pym particles because boy is that oversized! It’s sitting in an area that now has signage as a Pym Test Kitchen Dining Area! Pym Test Kitchen Signage Plus, nearby, we noticed that the stairs have new banners as well. Huh, we didn’t know signage to make us hungry — but there’s a first time for everything! Pym Test Kitchen Signage Of course, Avengers Campus is still blocked off for the time being, but we can’t WAIT to get in there. Avengers Campus As always, stay tuned to DFB for updates! Click here to learn MORE about Avengers Campus! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited to eat at Pym Test Kitchen? Tell us in the comments! The post We're One (Literally) GIANT Step Closer to Disney's Avengers Campus! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re planning on visiting Disney World this summer, specifically in July, the time to book your Park Pass reservations is NOW! Will You Be Visiting Magic Kingdom? Earlier this year, we saw a ton of Park Pass reservations filling up for parts of this year. Later, more became available. We especially saw more Park Passes become available following Disney’s announcement that they would be increasing capacity. Slowly, however, things started to fill up again. But now more Park Passes have become available! A huge thanks to our reader Joe (@schreiberjoe on Instagram) for alerting us to this. Before Here’s a look at what Park Pass availability was like just 2 days ago for the month of July. There were a LOT of yellow days (indicating that there was limited Park Pass availability) in the beginning of July for both guests with Theme Park Tickets… Availability as of May 18th ©Disney …and guests at Select Resort Hotels. The Fourth of July was already looking pretty full for both guests too. Availability as of May 18th ©Disney Things were looking a bit better with Annual Passholders, with a mostly green month (indicating full availability at all 4 parks), except for the 4th of July. Availability as of May 18th ©Disney But now things have changed! The Updates! Here’s what the calendar looks like now. Guests with Theme Park Tickets now have FULL Park Pass availability at all 4 parks for nearly every day in July except for July 1st through 3rd. Updated Availability as of May 20th ©Disney The situation looks similar for those staying at Select Resort Hotels. Updated Availability as of May 20th ©Disney Nothing has really changed for Annual Passholders. They continue to have full availability all days in July except for the 4th of July where Park Passes for Magic Kingdom have already filled up for them. Updated Availability as of May 20th ©Disney Of course, all of this is subject to change again in the future so if you haven’t already gotten your Park Passes for July, or you were looking to maybe change your existing Park Pass reservations, now is definitely the time to do so! We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. Click here to see 10 dates you NEED to book Disney World Park Passes for right now! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you planning to visit Disney World in July? Tell us in the comments. The post NEWS: More Disney World Park Passes Added For July first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hello from Disney California Adventure! Disney California Adventure We’re visiting Alfresco Tasting Terrace for its grand reopening, and we’ve been chowing down on LOTS of park-inspired eats from the new menu. But while we were sippin’ on pizza Bloody Marys (yes, that’s a thing), we just HAD to try a brand-new secret drink. You may be familiar with the Disneyland cat that chills around Alfresco Terrace…and she’s the inspiration for this spot’s newest secret drink, The Nutmeg! This sip is BRAND new — it wasn’t around when the terrace closed last year. In it, you’ll find dark rum, half and half, and raspberry flavoring with cinnamon and nutmeg dusting. The Nutmeg This is definitely a dessert drink. It’s tasty, but you may find it doesn’t pair well with every item on the menu! We recommend drinking it after you’re finished eating, so you don’t get a mix of uncomplimentary flavors. Drink this one for dessert! But it is a nice ‘n’ tasty sip! Even if you aren’t the biggest dark rum fan, you’ll find that all of the flavors balance pretty well. You should know, though, that it’s a very “milky” cocktail — so if you usually avoid those types of drinks, you may wanna skip this one. It’s tasty! At $16, this drink is pricey, especially considering you don’t get a lot in your glass! But if you’re a rum fan, a sucker for dessert cocktails, or a secret menu hunter, it may be worth a try. Especially if you love Disneyland cats. Another secret menu drink: check! We’ll be sure to bring you a full review soon of everything we tried at Alfresco Tasting Terrace! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news. Check Out Alfresco Tasting Terrace’s Reopening! Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Reopening April 30th California Residents Will Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Set to Open June 4th Click Here to See All the Rides That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Click Here to See All the Restaurants That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Disneyland Ticket Price Info and Blockout Dates Released Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Would you try this drink? Let us know in the comments! The post Review: Disneyland’s NEW Secret Drink Is Inspired by…a Cat?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A new ice cream place to try!? Don’t mind if we do. BoardWalk Ice Cream This morning we spotted a sign go up for a NEW ice cream spot at the former location of Ample Hills Creamery on Disney World’s BoardWalk. Well, it didn’t take long for the new BoardWalk Ice Cream to announce its hours and the menu — and now it’s already OPEN! We (of course) had to go give it a try and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Like we mentioned, BoardWalk Ice Cream is a new offering located on Disney’s BoardWalk which serves up ice cream and sundaes to go. It is located in the former spot of Ample Hills Creamery, near ESPN Club. BoardWalk Ice Cream The treats here are inspired by Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, so we were pretty excited to try them. BoardWalk Ice Cream Well, what are we waiting for!? Let’s check out this new shop! Atmosphere The outside of the shop still has some of the lettering on the sides about ice cream that existed when Ample Hills was there. Time for Some Ice Cream! Inside, you’ll find some cute, whimsical decor. A Peek Inside There is a line inside with social distancing markers which you will follow until you get to the counter where you can place your order. Time to Get In Line There is also a small refrigerator where you can get a soda or other bottled drinks. Can Get a Drink Once you reach the counter, it’s time to get some ice cream! Time to Get Some Ice Cream! Let’s take a look at the menu. Eats Unsurprisingly, this spot serves up a variety of ice cream flavors. Strangely though, the prices and offerings online seem to vary a bit compared to what we saw in the store. Let’s start with just the ice cream flavors. Online, the following flavors are listed: rainbow sherbert, coffee, chocolate-vanilla swirl, butter pecan, and strawberry. ©Disney In the store, however, we saw that the ice cream flavors listed were actually vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, butter pecan, cookies ‘n’ cream, mint chocolate chip, rainbow sherbert, coffee, and the no-sugar added chocolate-vanilla swirl. So, there were actually several more flavors available than what was listed online. All of the ice cream served here is Edy’s ice cream in terms of the brand, other than the dairy free options (more on that in a second). Menu In terms of sundaes, the online menu only lists 5 sundaes. ©Disney But, when we arrived there were actually quite a few other sundaes available, and the prices were a different. For example, while the Classic Wave of Double Scoop is listed as $7.00 online, but it is priced at $5.49 on the in-person menu. Menu The same goes for the Surf’s Up Sundae — Three Scoops. Online it is listed as costing $10. But, in person the menu said it was actually $6.99. Generally, the offerings were CHEAPER than what was listed on the website. BoardWalk Ice Cream Menu So basically the moral of the story here is don’t necessarily go by what you see on their online menu!! We expect much of that will likely get corrected in the upcoming days, but for now you can click any of our images above of their menus to see them larger and get a better look at the sundaes that are actually available and what they truly cost! There are, as we mentioned, some bottled drinks also available here. ©Disney There are also some dairy free ice cream options available from the Tofutti brand. Alright, let’s get to eating!! The Spread! First up, we got the Bayside Brownie a la Mode. This treat features a brownie, hot fudge, and vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and a cherry. Bayside Brownie The brownie that came with this treat was actually SUPER soft, very chocolatey, deliciously gooey, and wonderfully chewy (in a good way)! YUM! That hot fudge was rich and made everything melt very quickly though, so that’s something to keep in mind!! Love Brownies? If you love brownies and want a nice, simple treat, this might be a good option. You can get it for $6.99. Next, we got the Strawberry Splash Shortcake. This is made of a vanilla shortcake, strawberry compote, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. Strawberry Splash Personally, we felt like the brownie from the previous treat was better and seemed to taste fresher than the shortcake. The center of the shortcake was alright, but the outside was dry. Strawberry Splash This ice cream treat is priced at $6.99. But wait…there’s MORE! We also got the Thundering Surf Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sundae. This comes with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and chocolate morsels, whipped cream, and a cherry! Thundering Surf! This treat is priced at $7.49. This was BY FAR the winner here out of the options we got. Our reporter made it a point to note that this is NOT as good as the All-American Sundae from the Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (there’s just something extra special about ice cream on Main Street, U.S.A.). But, they did say that this ice cream treat was good! Gotta Eat it Before It Melts! The combo of peanut butter, chocolate, and vanilla is one that’s hard to go wrong with (if you like those flavors, of course). Finally, we couldn’t leave without trying the Kids’ Mickey Mouse Sundae! This one comes with 1 scoop of the ice cream of your choice (we went with Mint Chocolate Chip) with chocolate cookies (Oreos) and a cherry and it’s priced at $4.49. Kids’ Mickey Sundae Unfortunately the Oreos in this treat tasted a bit stale, but overall the flavor of the ice cream was nice. Anyone Want Some Ice Cream? WHEW. Overall, the sundaes (except maybe the Kids’ one) were decently sized and could totally be shared, which is nice! Also, the brownie and shortcake were both served at room temperature so that’s also something to keep in mind. Now that we’ve stuffed ourselves with ice cream, let’s chat about whether YOU should visit this new spot. Nosh or Not? You Should Go to BoardWalk Ice Cream If: You’re looking for a sweet treat while walking on the BoardWalk You want to grab a simple scoop of ice cream or some simple sundaes You need something to help you cool off from the Florida heat! You Should Skip BoardWalk Ice Cream If: You’re looking for a sundae that is SUPER unique and creative — we’d recommend you head over to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop for that You don’t like ice cream and want more of a savory treat or a different type of sweet treat — you might want to check out the nearby BoardWalk Bakery for that! Overall Overall, nothing really blew us away from BoardWalk Ice Cream. The options were good, but pretty standard. We wish there had been some more exciting or elaborate offerings available. Our reporter also shared how they still miss some of the more unique ice cream flavors from Ample Hills. But, it is nice to have a dedicated ice cream spot on the BoardWalk again. If you are going to stop by BoardWalk Ice Cream we’d say to grab the Bayside Brownie or the Thundering Surf treats. Those were our favorites out of the ones we had today! What Do You Think? If you’re looking for an ice cream treat, now you’ve got one more option in Disney World to check out. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates from Disney World and beyond! Click here to learn more about the hours for BoardWalk Ice Cream! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you head over to BoardWalk Ice Cream? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW of the NEW BoardWalk Ice Cream Shop in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Lots has been going on in Disneyland lately! Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle Restaurants have been reopening and the parks have been BACK in action as they continue with their phased reopening. Not to mention, Avengers Campus opens in Disney California Adventure next month! The parks are currently only open to California residents, but with all of these exciting things on the horizon, we’re wondering if that could change soon?! Today, we’re taking a look at when we could expect out-of-state guests to visit Disneyland again. 1. State Guidelines Already Allow It As a reminder, only California residents are permitted to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure until further notice. However, according to an addendum added to California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, “fully vaccinated persons from out of state may visit or attend activities or events that are restricted to in-state visitors.” That means that, according to California guidelines, out-of-state guests are technically already allowed to visit Disneyland — as long as they’re fully vaccinated. Disneyland However, Disneyland has NOT adjusted their policy to align with this addendum. While Universal Studios Hollywood and Sea World San Diego both permit fully vaccinated out-of-state guests to visit, Disneyland does not. Universal Studios Hollywood Of course, this addendum means that it is not state policy holding Disneyland back. Disney can decide at any given time to adjust their rules and permit fully vaccinated out-of-state guests. Of course, there’s a chance they’re waiting for ALL out-of-state guests (regardless of vaccination status) to be allowed to visit, in which case they would have to wait for further state guidance. Read More About This Addendum! 2. Disneyland Could Increase Capacity Soon California’s reopening plan currently involves grouping counties into colored tiers that dictate that county’s restrictions. We’ve been closely following Orange County’s — where Disneyland is located — progress through these tiers. And as of May 19th, Orange County moved from the orange to the yellow tier. ©COVID-19.CA.GOV Under the yellow tier’s guidelines, Disneyland can increase capacity from 25% to 35%. It can also allow walk-up ticket sales and indoor dining at 50% capacity. ©COVID-19.CA.GOV Now, Disneyland has not yet announced if they’re increasing capacity in response to this change — but they’re able to do so whenever they want at this point. And if they do, it would allow more space for out-of-state guests to visit the parks. Learn More About Disneyland’s Potential Capacity Increase! 3. California’s Target Date for Full Reopening California’s target date for a full reopening is June 15th. On that day, the color-coded tier system will end, and all counties will move together into a final green tier, which permits “normal operations” alongside continued vaccinations and testing. And according to California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, by that date, fully vaccinated people may not have to wear a mask in most settings (both indoor and outdoor). Face Mask If June 15th truly marks California’s return to “normal operations,” the state may permit out-of-state visitors, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, to visit theme parks. And if Disney is waiting for that change before they lift their California-residents-only policy, we may see a shift in that regard, too. Disney California Adventure It’s worth noting that there have been no statements by the California government on if this will be the case — it’s just educated speculation. But a return to “normal” is a good sign that Disneyland’s policies may shift back to “normal,” too. Read More About California’s Reopening! 4. Disneyland Is Returning to Normal As restaurants reopen and the parks fill up with guests, we’re seeing a slow return to “normal” in Disneyland. Sure, Disneyland has not made the same changes to mask policies and social distancing measures as Disney World has, but we’ve still got a gradual shift. Not to mention, Avengers Campus is opening on June 4th, and that event will be HUGE. Avengers Campus ©Disney We’re guessing Disneyland will want to capitalize on their expanding offerings by permitting more guests to visit — especially given the other changes we’ve listed above that will be happening in the same timeframe. Learn More About Avengers Campus! Now, Disneyland has NOT set a date by which they will allow out-of-state guests to visit once again. But based on evolving state policies and Disneyland’s reopening progress, we’re guessing it could be sooner rather than later. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for any news and keep ya posted, so stay tuned to DFB! Read About Disneyland’s Current Out-of-State Guest Policy! Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Reopening April 30th California Residents Will Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Set to Open June 4th Click Here to See All the Rides That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Click Here to See All the Restaurants That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Disneyland Ticket Price Info and Blockout Dates Released Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you an out-of-state guest wanting to visit Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post How SOON Could Disneyland Open to Out-of-State Guests? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ever since The Mandalorian first premiered on Disney+, Baby Yoda has been all the rage. ©Disney We’ve seen him in merchandise, we’ve seen him hidden in Disney World — where haven’t we seen Baby Yoda? Whether you want to call him Baby Yoda, The Child, or Grogu; you have to admit that this little fella is a big deal. Now, we’ve seen Baby Yoda in a place we never thought we’d see him. In honor of National Streaming Day, Disney released drones into the sky above Los Angeles that showed images from some of their most popular shows and streaming platforms. One of those drone images was Baby Yoda himself. ©Disney Wow. This little alien is just as cute when he’s made of lights in the sky. Is it possible for Grogu to not be cute? You’d think we’d be tired of him at this point with so much merchandise, but we’re really not. ©Disney The drones also showed things like Captain America’s shield and even the handmaid icon from Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu. Altogether, the stunt was to celebrate Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. If you want to watch it in action you can watch the video right here! We have to stay seeing this drone demonstration was pretty darn cool. It would be really neat to one day have something like this in the theme parks. We’ve actually seen some patents that talked about doing drone demonstrations as a part of nighttime entertainment, so the concept isn’t totally new. ©Disney Well, this video certainly tells us two things. One: Drones can be used for some very cool shows. And two? We might not ever get tired of seeing Baby Yoda. As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney updates! Click here to learn more about Disney’s work with drones! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of this cool stunt? Tell us in the comments! The post Our Jaws Hit the Floor Watching This Disney Drone Video first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you getting EXCITED for the opening of Avengers Campus?! We sure are! Avengers Campus ©Disney We’ve already gotten a peek at the new eats, as well as a more detailed look at the menu for Pym Test Kitchen. And we can’t wait to start tasting! But today, we’re here with the FULL menu for Shawarma Palace, aka the food cart coming to the land. Shawarma Palace will serve breakfast in the morning and a variety of quick bites the rest of the day! For breakfast, you’ve got just one option — the Impossible Breakfast Sha-warm-up — as well as some drinks. And check out Iron Man’s Infinity Gauntlet! ©Disney As for snacks? You’ve got 2 eats to choose from: New York’s Tastiest or the Impossible Victory Falafel. ©Disney Since this is a food cart, you’re not going to have too many options here. If you want a larger menu, you’ll want to head over to Pym Test Kitchen! We’ll be sure to keep you in the loop as we learn even more about Avengers Campus’ opening, so stay tuned to DFB. Get a Peek at MORE Food Coming to Avengers Campus! Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Reopening April 30th California Residents Will Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Set to Open June 4th Click Here to See All the Rides That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Click Here to See All the Restaurants That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Disneyland Ticket Price Info and Blockout Dates Released Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you going to eat at Shawarma Palace? Let us know in the comments! The post MENU and PRICES Released for Shawarma Palace in Disney’s Avengers Campus first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland has only been reopened for a couple of weeks, but we’re already seeing more locations come back “on the map” and welcome guests back! Disney California Adventure While we anxiously await our return to Blue Bayou, Napa Rose, and Storytellers Cafe, we swung by the grand reopening of Alfresco Tasting Terrace at Disney California Adventure today to check out their new menu! Alfresco Tasting Terrace transitioned to a Passholder-exclusive dining location in 2019, and it has reopened once again as a spot only Legacy Passholders and their guests can access. Arriving & Seating Alfresco Tasting Terrace is located above Wine Country Trattoria — as you make your way through California Adventure, it’s right next to the main entrance to Cars Land! Alfresco Tasting Terrace As we mentioned, Alfresco Tasting Terrace is only available to Legacy Passholders and their guests. We were asked to verify that we were Legacy Passholders when we arrived. Let’s head inside! Once we made our way upstairs, we were given a menu and got ready to EAT! Menu Alfresco Tasting Terrace, as the name implies, is a lounge setting that features a NEW menu of small bites, drinks, and other items to “taste.” You’ll find small bites and signature beverages… Menu …as well as beer, wine, and non-alcoholic sips. Menu It all sounds pretty tasty, and we’re excited to dive in. Food and Drinks On our visit today, we ordered the Pizza Oom-Mow-Wow!… It’s a Pizza Bloody Mary!! …the Screamin’ Cauliflower Ceviche… Screamin’ Cauliflower Ceviche …the Mulholland Meatballs… Mulholland Meatballs …and the Slider Invasion! Spoiler: these sliders are, essentially the same ones served at A Touch of Disney…but we thought they tasted WAY better. Slider Invasion We’ll be bringing you a full review of all these eats soon! If you’re a Legacy Passholder, be sure to stop by this spot to give this new menu a try — and follow along as we continue to check out all of the latest dining locations reopening around the Disneyland Resort! Are you a Disneyland Legacy Passholder? Don’t miss out on your free magnet! Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Reopening April 30th California Residents Will Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Set to Open June 4th Click Here to See All the Rides That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Click Here to See All the Restaurants That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Disneyland Ticket Price Info and Blockout Dates Released Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Where is your favorite place to dine at the Disneyland Resort? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: A Legacy Passholder-Exclusive Lounge Has Reopened at Disneyland! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Disney parks have some absolutely ICONIC rides. Mad Tea Party Occasionally, historic and beloved rides get a little bit of an update to bring them into the 21st century. Think about the high-tech queue at Peter Pan’s Flight in Disney World or the recent updates to the Snow White ride in Disneyland, now called Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. Well, we just spotted something that might mean Disney has more updates in store for a CLASSIC attraction! Recently, Disney filed a patent for a “spinning amusement park ride with onboard power generation.” This “new” ride system is really more of an update to a system that’s been around since the 1950s. You might recognize it as the one you’ve experienced many a time on Mad Tea Party in Disney World, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, or Hong Kong Disneyland. Mad Tea Party Overlay The version of the attraction that is currently in the parks, has guests spinning a wheel in the middle of the teacup ride vehicle that causes the vehicle to spin. The big difference with the new system is that the spinning of the wheel would actually generate electricity for a new system that could power special effects in the ride vehicle! ©Disney The patent is really focused on the system that would convert the kinetic energy from spinning the wheel to the electrical energy needed to power on-ride effects. What might be more interesting for us though, is that they are looking at new effects in the first place. On this subject, the patent says, “Operators of amusement parks are always looking for new ride designs and for ways to make existing rides more interesting to encourage riders to enjoy the ride multiple times per visit to the park.” ©Disney The patent specifically mentions the teacups saying, “In one well-known design, the body or chassis is designed to take on the appearance of giant teacups that can be spun about a center vertical axis…” It then lists potential special effects that could be added to the ride vehicles with this new system as “unique lighting, differing sounds, visual displays, and so on.” It goes on to give another specific example noting that this technique could be used to illuminate a set of lights with a brightness that varies based on the speed with which riders are spinning the wheel in the teacup. ©Disney Wow! This patent shows some really cool tech and it certainly would be neat if new lights and special effects were added to the teacup ride vehicles. Of course, there are a variety of ways that this technology could be used on a ride like the Mad Tea Party. Could there be some sort of competitive element to making the sounds or lights appear? Or could your ride be a little bit different every time you get on? Maybe! Mad Tea Party Whatever the case, it is interesting that Disney is specifically using teacup-style rides like Mad Tea Party as a base for a patent to add high-tech updates. We’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for any news of an update like this and any other updates in the Disney parks too. So, stay tuned! Want to learn more about Snow White’s Enchanted Wish? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of this patent? Tell us in the comments! The post Is Disney Planning to Update Mad Tea Party? Here's What We're Seeing! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article